Similar to the other thread, Novice w/? about harness rules

[paultg]

Wasn't sure I should post this in the other thread with the Atom owner or not, feel free to move it if you feel it should be combined. Here it goes:

As I understand it, my '92 Miata will be in class SSC.

I plan to add the required roll bar. I have a couple of seat/belt questions.

Question 1:
There is a requirement in the rules for arm restraints, which I have never used before. I did some research and I can't tell if arm restraints can be used with stock belts or not. Can anyone clarify?

Question 2:
If an arm restraint can not be used with a stock 3-point belt, are used/outdated harnesses allowed for SS* classified cars, or will certified/current date code belts required?
(I've read mixed things, where current date code may only apply to prepared cars, but wanted to be sure)

Question 3:
If I were to add Corbeau Forza seats to the car and run in SSC, am I allowed to run with stock 3-point belts still (with arm restraints if they work with stock belts), or are harnesses required with this type of seat?

Thanks for your time, I appreciate any help you can provide.

Paul G.

[SSNH]

unless you are really fat, how could you make stock belts work with the forza?

[StephanAlfa]

Hi Paul:
Welcome to COM and to SSC class.
I run in SSC class and can provide you with some of the responses.
If your Miata is convertible you must have a roll bar per spec (refer to COM rules)
If your Miata is convetible you must have arms restraints.
I am not sure how you will work out 3-point seat belt with arm restraints but given you are investing in a roll bar, might as well invest in a 4 or 5 point harness.
If you are adding racing seats you can still use std seat belts if you can arrange to work with arm restraints but IMHO I thinkyou are doing little justice going all the way with roll bars ans seats and not investing - for safety's sake - in the harness. Besides, they keep you place better so you can focus on the line.

I am hoping to move class (ST-4). If not, you'll be seeing me. Watch for point-bys
Stephan (2007 SSC Class Champion)

P.S.: If you don't know me, I ask "what's a Miata???" Oh, yes, a fake Alfa, another one!
Welcome to the club!

[Grippy]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to COM (Club of Miatae).
Keep in mind all these items are for your safety. The rollbar also has the added benefit of stiffening up the chassis and giving you a place to mount harnesses if you get one with a harness bar. I have seen people use arm restraints with stock seatbelts but it is far from optimal and honestly probably wouldn't do their job if needed. I would invest in a nice 5-6pt harness, get a camlock for ease of use, this is not a place to skimp. G-force has some nice ones for cheap (available from Driversupply ). But harnesses only work Ok with the stock seats if you are small in stature like me, they want to ride off the shoulders. So your best bet is get the seat and spend the extra $ on the harness. You will have a much better experience on the track as you will feel all safe and cozy and will be able to concentrate on what you are trying to do and where you are going.

See you on the grid!

[Stynger]

If your Miata is convertible you must have a roll bar per spec (refer to COM rules)
If your Miata is convetible you must have arms restraints.

Hi Paul,

If it's not a convertible it wouldn't be in the stock class.

If you run a hard top you don't need the arm restraints, but you still need the roll bar.

If you are a student, whatever you do for the driver (seat/harness) should also be done for your instructor on the passenger side.
Arm restraints should also be provided for the instructor if required.

[StephanAlfa]

If it's not a convertible it wouldn't be in the stock class.

Please forgive my Japanese as I am really not sure how many Alfa models Miata has COPIED...

[WillM]

All great posts that I agree with.

Only thing I'll add is that the rollbar, harnesses, arm restraints, and seat, are all a part of a single system. You don't want the harnesses to be the weak link in the chain.

[JackFFR1846]

I'm going to re-ask one of Paul's questions since the new rules are not up yet. In SS, if he gets a set of 5 point outdated harnesses for cheap from some guy in.....say......a prepared Honda who has to buy new ones anyways....will he be legal? (these have been rewebbed but still carry a older born-on date).

I'll be running in SSA and P/C, so no longer have any interest in SSC.

Stephan......Mazda didn't copy the spider.....they copied a Lotus Elan.

jack (former owner of 3 Alfa spiders)

[Grippy]

BTW, I forgot to mention that the factory belts don't work very well with race seats.

[StephanAlfa]

Jack, Jack, Jack... you are making me go back to some of my past mails.
Correct BUT the Lotus Elan DESIGNER was who? The guy who DESIGNED the Alfa Giulieta IF BERTONE would have won the project (Pininfarina did instead).
So Miata is copied from the Alfa Giulietta Bertone.

[Grippy]

Who cares? Mazda was the first to get it right.

[StephanAlfa]

Who cares? Mazda was the first to get it right.

Agreed! Thanks to that many other topless cars are now popular including the Z series beamer.
Just let's not forget where it really came from eh!

[brucesallen]

Jack, Jack, Jack... you are making me go back to some of my past mails.
Correct BUT the Lotus Elan DESIGNER was who? The guy who DESIGNED the Alfa Giulieta IF BERTONE would have won the project (Pininfarina did instead).
So Miata is copied from the Alfa Giulietta Bertone.

The reason the Miata does not roll as much as the Alfa is because the Japanese could not find enough rigatoni in Japan for springs.

[rajito]

Question 3:
If I were to add Corbeau Forza seats to the car and run in SSC, am I allowed to run with stock 3-point belts still (with arm restraints if they work with stock belts), or are harnesses required with this type of seat?

Paul, that's a really bad idea. The Forza I'm assuming looks like this:



Your OEM 3 point will go over the top of the side bolsters, and given that your build is similar to mine, you won't really be restrained with it.

I used to drive around with the OEM 3 point and Sparcos in the STI in the street, and it was quite loose. You might be better off with the OEM seats if you want to keep the OEM 3 point belt.

Raj

[CP]

Glad to see you made it to this forum, Paul. I'm joining the Miatae contingent this year too ;^)

Ultrashield makes affordable aluminum seats that'll work well with harnesses in your Miata and won't break the budget. I see that the car will primarily be used at the track, so you won't have to suffer through your daily commute with race seats.